Complete N00b’s Guide to Homebrew on the PSP

Are you a n00b like us when it comes to running homebrew software on the PSP? Well, in an effort to help fellow newcomers everywhere, we have compiled a handy guide to installing everything you need to run homebrew on the PSP. Thanks to the efforts of Dark Alex and other skilled coders (read: hackers) in the underground development scene, we have a wide variety of solutions to any limitation with the official sony firmware. Do you want to run full-resolution videos on your system without having to convert them? No problem. How about an IRC chat client? Or an emulator to run ALL of your old Ps1 games without having to connect to your Ps3? We have got you covered.

PART ONE: Installing Open Edition Firmware

The first thing you are going to need in order to run homebrew is new firmware. Firmware is the code that enables the PSP to perform its various functions, and largely runs unnoticed in the background. We need to upgrade it in order to unlock kernal access to unsigned applications - these are applications made by independent programmers not employed by Sony. If you are uncomfortable trusting your precious PSP in the hands of anonymous strangers from Cyberspace, this might be a good time to bail.

We have made every effort to simplify this process for readers, but obviously Portable Video Gamer can take no responsibility for negative consequences arising from the use of unofficial software, including potential damage to your PSP. got it? Good

Ingredients: You will need one PSP (preferably with firmware version 1.5 already installed). If you don’t know what version you currently have, check under Settings: System Information. Don’t have Version 1.5? No need to worry. if you have any other version up to 3.03, you will simply need to use the downgrader explained HERE. For the sake of simplicity in this guide, we will assume that everybody is starting from Version 1.5.

Of course, you will also need a PC and a USB connector cable (or a memory card reader) to transfer the data over to your PSP. The software does not depend upon your operating system, so this process worcs on both PCs and Macs.

Finally, you need a copy of Dark Alex’s Open Edition Firmware, found HERE. For this tutorial, we will be upgrading to OE version 3.10, which at the time of writing was the most current firmware available from Dark Alex. While you are at it, why not grab a copy of the official Sony 1.5 firmware and the 3.10 EBOOT, both available HERE. You will need these to complete the install.

Now, you should extract the set up a file structure on your computer that looks like this:

In accordance with the instructions, we are going to RENAME the file EBOOT.PBP to 310.PBP. Then we must place both 150.PBP and 310.PBP in the folder marked /oeupdmaker/.

Next, we want to transfer both oeupdmaker folders into the GAME directory on our PSP, using the USB cable or memory card reader.

On your PSP, go to the Game: Memory stick icon on your XMB and select Update Maker. It will take several minutes for the program to create a file called DATA.DXAR which is needed for installation. Once it is complete the program will give you a green message saying that all is well.

WARNING: If the program gives you an error that says “Invalid SHA-1″, DO NOT PROCEED ANY FURTHER. This error means that the DXAR file is corrupt. Delete it and try again with a new memory stick.

Now we want to move the two other folders to the PSP. Put your PSP back into transfer mode and copy the folders /310oeflasher/ and /310oeflasher%/ to X:/PSP/GAME
We also want to move our DXAR file from X/PSP/GAME to the /310OEFLASHER folder. Your PSP file structure should now look like this:

Once you have moved DATA.DXAR into the oeflasher folder on your PSP, you can return to GAME: Memory Stick on your PSP and run the OEflasher program. Note: in order to flash your firmware, you must have at least 75% battery power. The first time we tried this we were foiled by a low battery and had to wait for it to charge.

Once you have completed installation, you may reset your PSP. Welcome to the world of Homebrew! Next week we will run down all of the most popular open source games and applications available to PSP homebrewers, but until then, you may wish to explore on your own. PSP Updates is a good place to start.